It seems to me that someone observing a winter meteor shower runs the risk of frostbite in much of the country, global warming or not. Here in Florida, not so much. I usually like to go out for the Leonids in November. Those Leonid meteor storms in 2001 and 2002 were awesome; I saw dozens of meteors, including one with a fireball sizzling across the horizon.

2. Don't stay up late to watch them; get up early. Because of the way the Earth moves in its orbit and spins on its axis, the sunrise "terminator" (line between night and day) is the "leading edge" of the Earth. You'll see far more meteors between midnight and dawn that you will between sunset and midnight.

3. The Gemenids didn't used to be much of a meteor shower, but recent years have been more and more impressive. This year is supposed to be even better than last year.

If it weren't so cold and likely to snow again this evening, I would just go out onto my back deck or maybe drive to the top of a lava flow bench that is about 10miles away for a 360 degree view.

We are in a rural area and there is very little background lighting. The stars are always quite dazzling because the air is clear and it is very very dark outside. Often in the early fall or late summer we will just sit outside with the lights off, cocktail in hand and be amazed at the sky.

I just had a sudden darkening of my lappie screen, and my queen Softie came strolling out from behind the computer desk. I thought she might have chewed through the power cord. After careful inspection, it turns out that she stepped on the power switch to the surge protector strip.

In the middle of Teton national Park it is so dark you cannot see your hands in front of your face. If clear, there is no better viewing spot in the contiguous 48. It is incredibly dark on St. john USVI also. Here at home it will be overcast, so no viewing possible. There is a place at the southern end of Sandbridge Beach which is a couple of miles away from the nearest lights which was wonderful for Halley's comet in 1986. Probably the best local spot here in Southeastern Virginia